First Friday in February
February marks our return to in-person First Fridays and we’re shaking things up! Join us Friday EVENING for an exclusive cocktail hour networking event with an entrepreneurial twist! Our panel of experts will discuss and share:
- an explanation of the entrepreneur mindset
- entrepreneurship resources
- how the entrepreneurial journey can look different depending on who you are and how you set your goals
- stories and words of wisdom from their successful journeys
Following the panel, enjoy a networking reception with fellow Tommie alumni and friends. Hors d'oeuvres, drink ticket and indoor parking are included in the $39 registration fee.
Friday, Feb. 3
5 p.m. – Entrepreneurial leadership panel discussion and Q&A
6 p.m. – Networking Hors d’oeuvres and Drinks
Location
University of St. Thomas
O’Shaughnessy Education Center
St. Paul Campus
TurnSignl
Jazz Hampton '12, '15 JD
Jazz Hampton is CEO and General Counsel at TurnSignl. TurnSignl is a Minnesota-based tech company that provides real-time legal guidance from an attorney to drivers, all while their camera records the interaction.
Hampton has been featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, MSNBC, CBS, NBC Top Story, and was recently named one of Minneapolis-St. Paul’s 40 Under 40 for his work at TurnSignl and in the community, where he sits on the Board of Directors at Spare Key and Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He is also a Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain’s Philanthropic Advisory Council member.
Before joining TurnSignl, Hampton was the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and a practicing attorney at Foley & Mansfield, a national law firm with 150+ attorneys, as well as an adjunct professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, an Emerging Leader within Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, and the Co-Chair of DRI’s Young Lawyer Diversity Committee.
El Burrito Mercado
Milissa Silva '94
Co-Owner of Legacy El Burrito Mercado, Mexican Market & Cuisine Specialist Mexican-American, Milissa Silva, is a passionate, diversity advocate with a vision to unite teams through culture, food and experiences all while infusing business savvy.
She is the eldest daughter of immigrant, entrepreneur parents, Tomas and Maria Silva, and proud mother of two daughters. Milissa is most known for her innovative leadership at El Burrito Mercado, the multi-million dollar Mexican & Latino unique marketplace & restaurant employing over 90 staff members in St. Paul.
Before taking on fully her role as legacy-partner owner and CEO of Minnesota's El Burrito Mercado she pursued other experiences which heightened her level of education and professional experiences in areas of private label foods, Latino promotion entertainment, and corporate experiences with companies like Target, Supervalu, and General Mills. In her current role with the family business, Milissa is affectionately known by her staff as "La Jefa" or the boss. She functions as a Partner Owner with her sister Suzanne, niece Analita, fully women owned and operated.
In addition, to the ever-expanding "cultural market" experience, Milissa currently serves on the board for Latino Chamber of Commerce and Casa de Esperanza, she was recognized as the 2009 recipient of Minnesota's Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 25 on the Rise, 2017 El Burrito Mercado received Minority Owned SBA Small Business of the Year, MEDA 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year and 2019 NAWBO Generational Award.
Imprint Engine
Travis Veit '05
Travis Veit’s visionary perspective paved the way for him to become an accomplished entrepreneur. In 2012, he conceptualized and co-founded Imprint Engine, a tech-based end-to-end branding solution that acts as a one-stop-shop for clients’ marketing needs. Imprint Engine has since grown to 80+ employees & been recognized as one of Minnesota’s Best Places to Work with multiple Fast 50 Awards, landing him a spot on Minnesota500 — a list of the 500 most powerful and influential leaders in the state. In 2020 Veit launched a second location in Dublin, Ireland to service the European markets & further expand Imprint Engine’s international presence.
Travis was born and raised around Lake Minnetonka, where he currently resides. He is known for being bold in every facet of life, layered in with a vibrant and eccentric sense of style, an appreciation for fine art, and an iconic Goldendoodle named Bodelicious.
Schulze School of Entrepreneurship
Dr. Sheneeta White
Dr. Sheneeta W. White serves as the Associate Dean of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St Thomas. Dr. White serves as chief strategy officer for the Schulze School, leading the development of the school’s long-term and short-term strategies in the areas of brand-building and national rankings, high school outreach and recruitment of top entrepreneurial talent to St. Thomas, curricular and co-curricular excellence and innovation, and effective community engagement to foster mentoring, internship and career opportunities for students.
Prior to her role as associate dean, Dr. White served as Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Achievement. In this position, Dr. White oversaw a robust group of departments and programs that support the undergraduate academic experience at University of St Thomas.
Dr. White holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, an MBA from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Xavier University of Louisiana. In addition to her educational experience, Dr. White enjoyed a seven-year professional career with IBM leading numerous project teams.